Ed Sykes and Joy Fisher-Sykes Receive Award from School for Youth Leadership and Mentoring Program

Ed Sykes and Joy Fisher-Sykes, Co-founders of The Sykes Group, received an award from Seatack Elementary School in Virginia Beach, VA, for volunteering and leading the Toastmasters International Youth Leadership Program. They led a group of third through fifth graders on an eight-week program to improve their leadership, presentation, and motivation skills.

At the Seatack graduation ceremony, Ed and Joy were presented with an award from Principal Katherine Everett for outstanding contributions to the enhancement of public education. Ed Sykes and Joy Fisher-Sykes, in the Toastmasters International Youth Leadership Program, coached and mentored the participants in officer elections, Robert’s Rules of Order, how to run a meeting, presentation skills, thinking on your feet skills, and how to give positive evaluations. By the second session, the participants are running the sessions with coaching from Ed and Joy.

“We find that our participants will always raise to the high bar we set for them in leadership, presentation skills, and evaluation skills so that they are more confident as students and leaders, and are ready to become global citizens,” says Ed Sykes. “They are like little sponges and they instantly absorb new skills, many times much better than many adults.” Joy Fisher-Sykes says, “We know our efforts are worth it when we see immediate results or when the participants ask us to come back next year. One young program participant said that it was difficult growing up as a child. Our program allowed her to voice her concerns about growing up as a kid and feel comfortable doing it.”

The Sykes Group is a leading provider of leadership, customer relations, presentation, and motivation solutions for corporations, government agencies, and universities. The Sykes Group is located at 2133-126 Upton Drive #234, Virginia Beach, VA 23454. For information on their programs, call 757-427-7027, e-mail info@thesykesgrp.com, or go to www.thesykesgrp.com.